Fr. Michael Joncas, well-known Modern Hymnist, spoke at the National Assoc'n of Pastoral Musicians (NAPM--or as we know it, NAPALM) Conference held here in Milwaukee last week.
"I believe any style of music may potentially bear the weight of mystery unless proven wrong in practice." he said.
Now one might very well ask: what does THAT mean? Well, maybe this will help:
"People will ask questions about the texts we sing, not about the notes we sing. You have got to look at the words. Was I captivated by the music or by what the music was singing about?"
That's at least partly correct. Text is, indeed, primary. Of course, "rap" music emphasizes text...
Pressing on: Joncas stated that "differences of opinion" have existed for hundreds of years--that in the time of Thomas Aquinas, the argument was 'whether music in itself should be used or not.' This is an interesting take on history. Since numbers of Popes have written on the topic of Sacred Music BEFORE 1200AD, and since St. Augustine and St. Paul BOTH emphasized 'singing Psalms' (etc., etc.) I don't know how Fr. Joncas can state that there was some controversy about the use of song.
But never mind.
According to the report in the Catholic Herald (http://www.chnonline.org/2005-07-07/newsstory1.html), Father went on to clarify which "main ideas" all styles should follow: "...which form actually leads our parish into common prayer," was his answer. Another way to express it: "Whatever turns you on."
Hmmmm.
He went on to explain that 'some parishes prefer to sit and quietly sing along with the hymns, [while] others find themselves moving their entire body and clapping along to the beat, praising with their whole body and mind.' If we ignore the horrific syntax, we get the idea.
Let's set the stage with a couple of definitions. Hymnody, strictly speaking, is a form which is different from chant. It is also different from sacred music. Some hymns, such as the Adoro Te, are thought of as "Chant" because it is included in "Chant" books--but it is a hymn.
Sacred Music differs from hymns by virtue of the text: whereas a hymn is generally composed music with meter specific to the text's meter (you know, "feet" per line), musica sacra is composed using texts from the Mass or from Scripture which are not necessarily metric (e.g. the Gloria from the Mass.)
Basically, Fr. Joncas is addressing hymns, although there's enough imprecision in the news report and in the quotations they provide to speculate that he's also talking about musica sacra.
It seems that Joncas has decided to ignore the 800-pound canary: Pope Pius X's writings on the topic of music for the Church, which do NOT admit of "any style" and which have simply not been abrogated. Pius was quite clear: the music must have form (that is, it has to have artistic integrity), and it must BOTH "edify and sanctify" the Faithful while "glorifying God." Pius X went on to say that the closer church music comes to Gregorian Chant in 'style,' the better it is for worship. While Pius X did not reference Psalm 47/7, Cdl Ratzinger did--and to no one's surprise, the results were the same: "Singing in accordance with wisdom implies a word-oriented art, which is not concerned merely with intelligibility but "stands under the primacy of logos" and makes demands upon our highest moral and spiritual powers. The second translation, artfully, tells us that encountering God challenges a person to respond to the best of his or her abilities. God gave Moses detailed specifications for the tabernacle; artistic endeavor in the book of Exodus is portrayed as a participation in God's creativity."
It should be apparent that SOME "styles" will simply not 'glorify God' and may not 'edify' the Faithful. SOME "styles" will not 'sanctify' the Faithful, either--such as rock'n'roll, whether 'soft' or 'hard.' And some musical offerings simply do not cut the mustard in terms of the artistic requirements.
Fr. Joncas ignores Pius X perhaps because he also hears the footsteps of another Pope--the current one, Benedict XVI, who has made a number of insightful and worthwhile comments on the music/worship situation.
In an article hitting the high points of Cdl. Ratzinger's thoughts on the matter, the author quotes R.: "Music in particular has split into two worlds: pop (a manufactured commodity) and rationally constructed high-brow music (an elite, degenerate form of "classical" music)." In Ratzinger's opinion, NEITHER of these is suitable for church. Fr. Joncas' ouerve of music, by the way, falls largely into the "pop" category...
Even more devastating to Joncas' "whatever turns you on" theory of church music is the following:
"What are the new and better ideas of the liturgical experts? They insist on two basic values: "The 'primary value' of a renewed liturgy is, we are told, 'the full and authentic action of all persons.'" The people of God proclaims its identity in song. The second value judgment follows: music is the power that brings about cohesiveness within the group. Celebration, ergo, becomes creativity; the "how" becomes more important than the "what." "
To this, Ratzinger responds:
In actuality, the Church is the communio sanctorum of all places and all times. Romano Guardini has elaborated upon the momentous consequences of realizing that the communion of saints... is the true subject of the liturgy. The Church's liturgy has an objective and positive character, because it lives in three ontological dimensions: cosmos, history and mystery. Liturgy has a cosmic dimension because as believers we do not create it, but participate in something greater that transcends us all. As a result of its historic dimension, it develops as a living thing while maintaining its identity (cf. the discussion of biblical culture, above). Finally, liturgy's dimension of mystery means that we do not initiate the liturgical event; rather, it originates in a call and a divine act of love, to which our response is obedience.
Finally, the Catechism actually has something to say:
The new Catechism, on the other hand, sums up the best insights of the Liturgical Movement. Liturgy means "service in the name of/on behalf of the people." But "the People of God is not simply there, as the Germans, French, Italians, or other peoples are; it comes into being again and again only through the service of the Son and by his lifting us into the community of God which we cannot enter on our own . . . Every liturgical celebration is an action of Christ the priest and his Body which is the Church (p. 134; cf. CCC 1069-1070)."
Certainly not a "do your own thing" teaching, is it, Father???
Friday, July 08, 2005
Dennis, Bush, Gitmo, Rove
So when Dennis hits Gitmo (and it will), how long will it take the DUmmies to blame it on Bush, who is covering for Rove?
Vatican to Whack Pro-Abort "Catholic" Pols
Dave Obey won't concern himself with this, of course---
The Catholic Church has produced a new document for bishops across the world to examine that says Catholics who support legalized abortion should refrain from taking communion because they are out of step with church teachings. The Vatican said pro-abortion Catholics are not taking their faith seriously and those who take communion and support abortion are behaving in a scandalous manner.
As most of us recall, only a couple of Bishops around the country told John Kerry not to bother showing up for Communion during his campaign.
But few recall that it was Bp. Burke (at that time he was in LaCrosse) who really started the controversy by delivering a smackdown letter to Dave Obey and a couple of minor faux-Catholic Wisconsin legislators.
Obey responded through a sophist-attorney and other outlets, basically doing what liars and sophists do: attempting to spray enough smoke into the air to confuse everyone. So we heard that "the Church is 'forcing' me to this/that/whatever."
Nothing could be further from the truth. Dave Obey and a LOT of other Catholic-in-Name-Only (CINO) pols simply want to have it both ways: we all know exactly what 'church' is the one which has abortion as a sacrament (the Church of Murder & Lies: High Priest and Proprietor, Lucifer)--Obey and his pals want to maintain some respectability by pretending to be good Catholics. (One does not get easily re-elected wearing the mark of the Bloody Baptism of Lucifer.)
But the new Pope is not a stranger to the controversy, nor to dropping the hammer.
October's Synod, which will discuss the above-briefed document (88 pages in all) will be a lot of fun to watch. Even MORE fun will be watching certain US Bishops, and the reactions of many CINOs.
The Catholic Church has produced a new document for bishops across the world to examine that says Catholics who support legalized abortion should refrain from taking communion because they are out of step with church teachings. The Vatican said pro-abortion Catholics are not taking their faith seriously and those who take communion and support abortion are behaving in a scandalous manner.
As most of us recall, only a couple of Bishops around the country told John Kerry not to bother showing up for Communion during his campaign.
But few recall that it was Bp. Burke (at that time he was in LaCrosse) who really started the controversy by delivering a smackdown letter to Dave Obey and a couple of minor faux-Catholic Wisconsin legislators.
Obey responded through a sophist-attorney and other outlets, basically doing what liars and sophists do: attempting to spray enough smoke into the air to confuse everyone. So we heard that "the Church is 'forcing' me to this/that/whatever."
Nothing could be further from the truth. Dave Obey and a LOT of other Catholic-in-Name-Only (CINO) pols simply want to have it both ways: we all know exactly what 'church' is the one which has abortion as a sacrament (the Church of Murder & Lies: High Priest and Proprietor, Lucifer)--Obey and his pals want to maintain some respectability by pretending to be good Catholics. (One does not get easily re-elected wearing the mark of the Bloody Baptism of Lucifer.)
But the new Pope is not a stranger to the controversy, nor to dropping the hammer.
October's Synod, which will discuss the above-briefed document (88 pages in all) will be a lot of fun to watch. Even MORE fun will be watching certain US Bishops, and the reactions of many CINOs.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Gaylord Nelson's Bequest
...several hundred tons of Federally Protected Seagull poop--in Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, and (now they figure it out...) Chicago.
Thanks, Senator!
Thanks, Senator!
More Stem Cell Types
Xoff provides the news: there's another embryonic stem-cell interest group. (http://www.wisopinion.com/blogs/xofffiles.html)
Here's how they self-describe:
Wisconsin Stem Cell Now, Inc. is a grassroots organization comprised of Wisconsin residents of all backgrounds -- Democrats and Republicans, clergy and lay persons, doctors and patients -- all united in support of advancing scientific research using embryonic stem cells. We believe that this research holds the key to unlocking the cures for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, macular degeneration, spinal cord injury, MS, lupus, neurological diseases and multiple other life-threatening conditions. Impressive scientific breakthroughs have already been made, but continued public support of this important research is necessary.
(http://www.wistemcellnow.org/)
Now that's an interesting graph. The "About Us" page gives us a clergyman, a doctor, and a lawyer, plus a computer science-type: Edward Fallone, Heidi Fallone, Keith Schmitz, David Froiland, George "Chip" Morris, Linda Roberts, Reverend Jim Bender
Go ahead--run a Google on them. YOU try to find the "Republican."
Here's how they self-describe:
Wisconsin Stem Cell Now, Inc. is a grassroots organization comprised of Wisconsin residents of all backgrounds -- Democrats and Republicans, clergy and lay persons, doctors and patients -- all united in support of advancing scientific research using embryonic stem cells. We believe that this research holds the key to unlocking the cures for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, macular degeneration, spinal cord injury, MS, lupus, neurological diseases and multiple other life-threatening conditions. Impressive scientific breakthroughs have already been made, but continued public support of this important research is necessary.
(http://www.wistemcellnow.org/)
Now that's an interesting graph. The "About Us" page gives us a clergyman, a doctor, and a lawyer, plus a computer science-type: Edward Fallone, Heidi Fallone, Keith Schmitz, David Froiland, George "Chip" Morris, Linda Roberts, Reverend Jim Bender
Go ahead--run a Google on them. YOU try to find the "Republican."
Tom Reynolds the Target
Spivak & Bice ran a story today ankle-biting Tom Reynolds for inserting Budget language awarding a refundable State tax credit to parents with home-schooled children or with children in private schools. (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jul05/339211.asp)
REALLY big money here: $100.00/eligible kid. Whoo-Hah!! Reynolds will get $300.00.
It's been known (and mentioned here) that Reynolds is a target of some "go-along-to-get-along" Pubbie Senators--you know them--the Big-Spender crowd (with Other People's Money, of course.) They hate Reynolds so much that they may even find a primary opponent for him.
Since S&B's story came from inside the Pubbie budget caucus, the only question is which RINO leaked? The one from Appleton who can't seem to keep a Republican majority when he's the majority leader? The moronic bozo who's currently the Senate Pubbie "leader"?
Inquiring minds want to know, S&B...
REALLY big money here: $100.00/eligible kid. Whoo-Hah!! Reynolds will get $300.00.
It's been known (and mentioned here) that Reynolds is a target of some "go-along-to-get-along" Pubbie Senators--you know them--the Big-Spender crowd (with Other People's Money, of course.) They hate Reynolds so much that they may even find a primary opponent for him.
Since S&B's story came from inside the Pubbie budget caucus, the only question is which RINO leaked? The one from Appleton who can't seem to keep a Republican majority when he's the majority leader? The moronic bozo who's currently the Senate Pubbie "leader"?
Inquiring minds want to know, S&B...
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
First Medal of Honor in Iraq
Today, the President awarded the Medal of Honor to SFC Paul Smith, of the 3rd ID.
The award was posthumous.
Full story here: http://www.sptimes.com/2004/webspecials04/medalofhonor/
The award was posthumous.
Full story here: http://www.sptimes.com/2004/webspecials04/medalofhonor/
China Dreams Cracked---Again
Alliant Energy Corp. said Tuesday that its board has approved the sale of its investments in China and said it will take a non-cash asset valuation charge of up to $95 million in the second quarter. The energy company also said its Iowa utility agreed to sell its interest in a nuclear power plant for $387 million.
Madison-based Alliant said fair market value of the assets in China have deteriorated significantly in recent months as a result of an updated analysis of the portfolio, and updated market information, including terms of recent sales of similar assets. The company also said asset value declined due to lower forecasts for tariff relief for past and future increases in coal and transportation costs, and other uncertainties.
Alliant Energy owns interests in various generating facilities in China that are regulated at various local and national levels by the Chinese government.
The energy company said that the carrying value of the investments was estimated at $190 million as of March 31, 2005. Alliant expects that a pre-tax, non-cash asset valuation charge of up to one half of the carrying value will be incurred in the second quarter of 2005.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/dailyedition.html
Well, they've joined an impressive list of US organizations which have been, ah, made unhappy by experiences in China. Briggs & Stratton found that the Chinese are very good, indeed, at reverse-engineering. So did Chrysler, and GM.
Too bad.
Madison-based Alliant said fair market value of the assets in China have deteriorated significantly in recent months as a result of an updated analysis of the portfolio, and updated market information, including terms of recent sales of similar assets. The company also said asset value declined due to lower forecasts for tariff relief for past and future increases in coal and transportation costs, and other uncertainties.
Alliant Energy owns interests in various generating facilities in China that are regulated at various local and national levels by the Chinese government.
The energy company said that the carrying value of the investments was estimated at $190 million as of March 31, 2005. Alliant expects that a pre-tax, non-cash asset valuation charge of up to one half of the carrying value will be incurred in the second quarter of 2005.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/dailyedition.html
Well, they've joined an impressive list of US organizations which have been, ah, made unhappy by experiences in China. Briggs & Stratton found that the Chinese are very good, indeed, at reverse-engineering. So did Chrysler, and GM.
Too bad.
USCCB Priorities
Rich Leonardi (http://richleonardi.blogspot.com/) called the USCCB to determine how soon they would issue the English-language version of the new Compendium of the Catholic Catechism.
Uhhhhhh, duhhhh, wellllll, [shrug.]
Since the USCCB is going to spend a bunch of money to fund a "study" run by notorious sexologists which will tell us that homosexuality has NOTHING to do with priests-raping-boys, they might not have the money necessary to publish this Compendium thing.
It is certain that the USCCB, at this time, does not have a PLAN for publishing the Compendium.
Surprise, surprise, surprise, as Gomer was wont to say...
Uhhhhhh, duhhhh, wellllll, [shrug.]
Since the USCCB is going to spend a bunch of money to fund a "study" run by notorious sexologists which will tell us that homosexuality has NOTHING to do with priests-raping-boys, they might not have the money necessary to publish this Compendium thing.
It is certain that the USCCB, at this time, does not have a PLAN for publishing the Compendium.
Surprise, surprise, surprise, as Gomer was wont to say...
Feeeeeelings.....Wo, Wo Wo
Joe Biden, plagiarist, wants a Supreme nominee to "unite the country."
Moonbat Award is on its way, Joe.
Moonbat Award is on its way, Joe.
Garza, Si! Gonzales, No!
Assuming that Gonzales is being honest about his thoughts, the following exchanges simply disqualify him from service on SCOTUS:
Q: Judge Gonzales, we’re hearing conflicting reports about your position on abortion. Can you tell us where you stand?
A: As a judge, I have to make judgments in conformity with the laws of our nation.
Q: Would you say that, regarding Roe vs. Wade, stare decisis would be governing here? (Note, stare decisis means that he would continue to uphold that decision because he would regard it as a binding precedent.)
A: Yes.
Different day, different forum, same damn-fool answer:
Q: Judge Gonzales, it’s well known that the Clinton administration had a very clear and consistent litmus test in regard to judicial nominations. If that person was not pro-abortion, they were not nominated. In light of this, do you ask your nominees what their position is on abortion?
A: No, we do not. We judge them on a very broad basis of conservatism and constitutional construction.
Q: Many of us feel that the Constitution does not speak to permissive abortion. Would you comment?
A: The Constitution is what the Supreme Court says it is.
Email from C.J. Willkie, http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=8001
Judge Garza, on the other hand, is not baggaged by stare, nor has he voiced a vapidity similar to "...what the Supreme[s] say it is." And the American Spectator's guess is Garza.
One other little surprise in the Spectator: Ginsburg will ALSO retire, as will Rehnquist. The Spectator's guess is that Garza will be nominated first--Person X will be second--and if Gonzales gets in at all, he'll be the last nominee.
Q: Judge Gonzales, we’re hearing conflicting reports about your position on abortion. Can you tell us where you stand?
A: As a judge, I have to make judgments in conformity with the laws of our nation.
Q: Would you say that, regarding Roe vs. Wade, stare decisis would be governing here? (Note, stare decisis means that he would continue to uphold that decision because he would regard it as a binding precedent.)
A: Yes.
Different day, different forum, same damn-fool answer:
Q: Judge Gonzales, it’s well known that the Clinton administration had a very clear and consistent litmus test in regard to judicial nominations. If that person was not pro-abortion, they were not nominated. In light of this, do you ask your nominees what their position is on abortion?
A: No, we do not. We judge them on a very broad basis of conservatism and constitutional construction.
Q: Many of us feel that the Constitution does not speak to permissive abortion. Would you comment?
A: The Constitution is what the Supreme Court says it is.
Email from C.J. Willkie, http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=8001
Judge Garza, on the other hand, is not baggaged by stare, nor has he voiced a vapidity similar to "...what the Supreme[s] say it is." And the American Spectator's guess is Garza.
One other little surprise in the Spectator: Ginsburg will ALSO retire, as will Rehnquist. The Spectator's guess is that Garza will be nominated first--Person X will be second--and if Gonzales gets in at all, he'll be the last nominee.
The Order Still Stands, Bloggers----
Recall that a Federal judge ruled that bloggers who engage in political speech are making "in-kind contributions" to the pols they endorse?
The order did NOT go away, although the FEC has decided to take a pass on enforcing it (at this point in time.)
Our own Senator Feingold---whadda guy, hey?
It's been pointed out that Feingold decided to legislate campaign-finance reform only 8 months after a call for "more [political] advertising control" by none other than George Soros. This character Soros just "happened" to organize the pre-eminent 527, MoveOn.org--a cauldron of eddies primarily feeding a strong current of libertinism of all stripes.
Another "co-incidence", (of course)--McShame also set up his Reform Institute for Campaign and Election Issues, also partially funded by Soros, in 1994.
No evil reek coming from D.C. is complete without the Hildebeeste--HRC herself. In 1995, a commission of HRC pals determined that the Internet was a 'dangerously unregulated medium' and in 1998, HRC declared that there 'must be a "gatekeeper" function' emplaced on the 'net.
FEC commissioners come and go. The Federal judge's order remains, as do McCain-Feingold, Soros, and Hildebeeste. How long will it take for the players to take out NewsMax, Limbaugh, or each and every dissenting blogger?
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45138 for more documentation.
The order did NOT go away, although the FEC has decided to take a pass on enforcing it (at this point in time.)
Our own Senator Feingold---whadda guy, hey?
It's been pointed out that Feingold decided to legislate campaign-finance reform only 8 months after a call for "more [political] advertising control" by none other than George Soros. This character Soros just "happened" to organize the pre-eminent 527, MoveOn.org--a cauldron of eddies primarily feeding a strong current of libertinism of all stripes.
Another "co-incidence", (of course)--McShame also set up his Reform Institute for Campaign and Election Issues, also partially funded by Soros, in 1994.
No evil reek coming from D.C. is complete without the Hildebeeste--HRC herself. In 1995, a commission of HRC pals determined that the Internet was a 'dangerously unregulated medium' and in 1998, HRC declared that there 'must be a "gatekeeper" function' emplaced on the 'net.
FEC commissioners come and go. The Federal judge's order remains, as do McCain-Feingold, Soros, and Hildebeeste. How long will it take for the players to take out NewsMax, Limbaugh, or each and every dissenting blogger?
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45138 for more documentation.
Friday, July 01, 2005
LEO's DO Support Gun Rights
Contrary to the "politically correct" statements made by some LEO's, and the MSM's blatant lying about it, here are the results of a survey, with anonymity guaranteed:
Gun Control: With regard to private citizens owning firearms for sport or self-defense, 93.6 percent of the respondents supported civilian gun-ownership rights. Ninety-six percent of the police chiefs and sheriffs believe criminals obtain firearms from illegal sources and 92.2 percent revealed they hadn't arrested anyone for violation of the so-called "waiting period" laws. When asked if citizens concealed-weapons permits would reduce violent crime, 63.1 percent said yes.
(17th Annual Survey of Police Chiefs and Sheriffs, quoted in 1/05 Police Times) via John Lott, at: http://www.phxnews.com/fullstory.php?article=22621
Gun Control: With regard to private citizens owning firearms for sport or self-defense, 93.6 percent of the respondents supported civilian gun-ownership rights. Ninety-six percent of the police chiefs and sheriffs believe criminals obtain firearms from illegal sources and 92.2 percent revealed they hadn't arrested anyone for violation of the so-called "waiting period" laws. When asked if citizens concealed-weapons permits would reduce violent crime, 63.1 percent said yes.
(17th Annual Survey of Police Chiefs and Sheriffs, quoted in 1/05 Police Times) via John Lott, at: http://www.phxnews.com/fullstory.php?article=22621
So, What 'cha Doing This Summer?
Here's a chart to help you understand what you're missing:
....from The Rude Awakening newsletter...
....from The Rude Awakening newsletter...
We Took Kristol's Word for It
And he was right. O'Connor resigned.
FreeRepublic folks seem to like Ted Olsen as the replacement, and (no surprise here) do NOT like Alberto Gonzales--he's a squish on RKBA, and other important issues.
The Test of Manhood is coming: will GWB appoint a "moderate" to match O'Connor's "moderation," or will he appoint a genuine (non-positivist) conservative?
FreeRepublic folks seem to like Ted Olsen as the replacement, and (no surprise here) do NOT like Alberto Gonzales--he's a squish on RKBA, and other important issues.
The Test of Manhood is coming: will GWB appoint a "moderate" to match O'Connor's "moderation," or will he appoint a genuine (non-positivist) conservative?
Rat Patrol: "Cruelty to Animals"
From France, where PETA must have a cousin:
Jacques Peyrat, the outspoken mayor of Nice, caused added offence to the SPA, the national society for the protection of animals, by congratulating himself on his work in the local paper.
He spotted the well-nourished rat during an official visit to a rubbish collection point in the city's old quarter close to the seafront.
He told Nice Matin that he grabbed a shovel and used it to "smash" the rat. "I cannot stand those animals," he explained.
Mr Peyrat's confession outraged the Alpes Maritimes section of the SPA, which lodged a criminal complaint with the prosecutors. If it leads to a court case, he could be fined up to £2,100.
The society accepted that "a huge rat-clearing operation" was necessary, but said the killing amounted to cruelty. The mayor's subsequent "boasting" was an incitement to others to act in similar fashion.
Serge Belais, national president of the SPA, said: "If it's accepted that people can mistreat rats today, then tomorrow it will be birds and cats."
An aide to Mr Peyrat, a former member of the National Front and now a senator for the UMP party, said: "We are not taking this seriously."
© Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2005.
http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/07/01/wmay01.xml
Jacques Peyrat, the outspoken mayor of Nice, caused added offence to the SPA, the national society for the protection of animals, by congratulating himself on his work in the local paper.
He spotted the well-nourished rat during an official visit to a rubbish collection point in the city's old quarter close to the seafront.
He told Nice Matin that he grabbed a shovel and used it to "smash" the rat. "I cannot stand those animals," he explained.
Mr Peyrat's confession outraged the Alpes Maritimes section of the SPA, which lodged a criminal complaint with the prosecutors. If it leads to a court case, he could be fined up to £2,100.
The society accepted that "a huge rat-clearing operation" was necessary, but said the killing amounted to cruelty. The mayor's subsequent "boasting" was an incitement to others to act in similar fashion.
Serge Belais, national president of the SPA, said: "If it's accepted that people can mistreat rats today, then tomorrow it will be birds and cats."
An aide to Mr Peyrat, a former member of the National Front and now a senator for the UMP party, said: "We are not taking this seriously."
© Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2005.
http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/07/01/wmay01.xml
Haley: Fun, but Myth
Now we are reminded that "true stories" are not necessarily so.
Jack Cashill advises (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45084) that Alex Haley's story about "Kunta Kinte" (and thus, the series "Roots" which is based on the story) is largely fiction.
Ah, well.
Jack Cashill advises (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45084) that Alex Haley's story about "Kunta Kinte" (and thus, the series "Roots" which is based on the story) is largely fiction.
Ah, well.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Buckley on Iraq
Snipped from a Bill Buckley column:
Last week a conservative dissenter submitted an analysis to his colleagues. Several points were made.
After the success of the military enterprise, "two goals then took form. The first was to organize elections, giving Iraqis' tribal divisions an opportunity, acting together, to record their willingness to establish a self-governing republic. Once again, the results were gratifying. Some 80 percent of those who voted registered their endorsement of a constitutional regime change.
"The second goal has been to bring such order to Iraq as is required to effect the self-government the voters had endorsed. This objective has failed."
The failure, it is argued, cannot be redeemed by prospects that remain illusory. There isn't freedom of civil action in Iraq. There are areas in which order is routinely exercised, but there are no areas where Iraqis can assume safety from insurgent disruption.
In the past 12 months, our policies have been expediential: an attempt to effect such order as is required to permit a devolution of authority to Iraqis. The planted axiom has been that it is only a matter of time before the two great passions -- for stability and for political self-government -- converge into a new and viable Iraq.
That's not to be taken for granted. "No developments in the first half year of 2005 warrant confidence that these goals are being met, or even that they are predictable. The blame for this cannot responsibly be assigned to any one delinquent body. The United States military has performed with courage and perseverance. The Iraqis have never submitted to the insurgents, by whom they are nevertheless frequently overcome."
The critic persuasively argues that no commitment by the United States can be interpreted as extending beyond a reasonable allocation of the nation's resources.
Buckley's concluding graph:
A respect for the power of the United States is engendered by our success in engagements in which we take part. A point is reached when tenacity conveys not steadfastness of purpose but misapplication of pride. It can't reasonably be disputed that if in the year ahead the situation in Iraq continues about as it has done in the past year, we will have suffered more than another 500 soldiers killed. Where there had been skepticism about our venture, there will then be contempt.
Last week a conservative dissenter submitted an analysis to his colleagues. Several points were made.
After the success of the military enterprise, "two goals then took form. The first was to organize elections, giving Iraqis' tribal divisions an opportunity, acting together, to record their willingness to establish a self-governing republic. Once again, the results were gratifying. Some 80 percent of those who voted registered their endorsement of a constitutional regime change.
"The second goal has been to bring such order to Iraq as is required to effect the self-government the voters had endorsed. This objective has failed."
The failure, it is argued, cannot be redeemed by prospects that remain illusory. There isn't freedom of civil action in Iraq. There are areas in which order is routinely exercised, but there are no areas where Iraqis can assume safety from insurgent disruption.
In the past 12 months, our policies have been expediential: an attempt to effect such order as is required to permit a devolution of authority to Iraqis. The planted axiom has been that it is only a matter of time before the two great passions -- for stability and for political self-government -- converge into a new and viable Iraq.
That's not to be taken for granted. "No developments in the first half year of 2005 warrant confidence that these goals are being met, or even that they are predictable. The blame for this cannot responsibly be assigned to any one delinquent body. The United States military has performed with courage and perseverance. The Iraqis have never submitted to the insurgents, by whom they are nevertheless frequently overcome."
The critic persuasively argues that no commitment by the United States can be interpreted as extending beyond a reasonable allocation of the nation's resources.
Buckley's concluding graph:
A respect for the power of the United States is engendered by our success in engagements in which we take part. A point is reached when tenacity conveys not steadfastness of purpose but misapplication of pride. It can't reasonably be disputed that if in the year ahead the situation in Iraq continues about as it has done in the past year, we will have suffered more than another 500 soldiers killed. Where there had been skepticism about our venture, there will then be contempt.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Janet Reno Contradicting Janet Reno
Janet Reno says in Florida that "I have trouble with a war that has no endgame and I have trouble with a war that generates so many concerns about individual liberties." Notice she doesn't say that the war has violated individual liberties, or that she believes that, but merely that there are "so many concerns" about it. Uh-huh, Jan--like Elian Gonzales?
The Richmond Times-Dispatch also reports that "the former U.S. attorney general said she thinks the government would be hard-pressed to find a legal basis to prosecute many of the Taliban and al-Qaida prisoners being detained at Guantanamo Bay." We all know Jan (Flamethrower) Reno's solution for this little problem...
---James Taranto---
http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110006878
The Richmond Times-Dispatch also reports that "the former U.S. attorney general said she thinks the government would be hard-pressed to find a legal basis to prosecute many of the Taliban and al-Qaida prisoners being detained at Guantanamo Bay." We all know Jan (Flamethrower) Reno's solution for this little problem...
---James Taranto---
http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110006878
Seminary Education SHOULD Include...
Via Bettnet (see blogroll):
Saint Thomas, moreover, asserts the truth that it is often from our outward movements that other men form their judgment about us. Thomas encourages us to study our outward movements so that if they are inordinate in any way, they may be corrected. Such things need to be addressed in formation because they have a definite effect on our ability to be and bring Christ to others. Does the seminary deal with a seminarian that sways when he walks, who has limp wrists, who acts like a drama queen or who lisps? It must. This not about a witch hunt but being honest enough to admit that such external behavior affects our ability to share Christ. I knew a seminarian that spoke in a very effeminate manner, and to his credit he recognized this impediment to his future preaching the Gospel, and on his own sought help from a speech instructor. The seminary did not see this glaring problem and did not move this man to get assistance. That is the problem.
When we are at the altar or preaching the Gospel, we are Jesus Christ and must do our best to image him to our people. Anything we do that takes people's attention away from this reality must be addressed. Over dramatic movements, purposeful lisps, swaying, in short, effeminate behavior removes attention from Christ and His word and puts it on the priest. This is not just distracting to other men but I know my sisters will roll their eyes when the Liberace-like priest celebrates himself while celebrating the Mass. (Fr. James Mason, Dir/Vocations, Sioux Falls)
http://www.fathertodd.com/blog/
The whole article should be read. It's not long.
Saint Thomas, moreover, asserts the truth that it is often from our outward movements that other men form their judgment about us. Thomas encourages us to study our outward movements so that if they are inordinate in any way, they may be corrected. Such things need to be addressed in formation because they have a definite effect on our ability to be and bring Christ to others. Does the seminary deal with a seminarian that sways when he walks, who has limp wrists, who acts like a drama queen or who lisps? It must. This not about a witch hunt but being honest enough to admit that such external behavior affects our ability to share Christ. I knew a seminarian that spoke in a very effeminate manner, and to his credit he recognized this impediment to his future preaching the Gospel, and on his own sought help from a speech instructor. The seminary did not see this glaring problem and did not move this man to get assistance. That is the problem.
When we are at the altar or preaching the Gospel, we are Jesus Christ and must do our best to image him to our people. Anything we do that takes people's attention away from this reality must be addressed. Over dramatic movements, purposeful lisps, swaying, in short, effeminate behavior removes attention from Christ and His word and puts it on the priest. This is not just distracting to other men but I know my sisters will roll their eyes when the Liberace-like priest celebrates himself while celebrating the Mass. (Fr. James Mason, Dir/Vocations, Sioux Falls)
http://www.fathertodd.com/blog/
The whole article should be read. It's not long.
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